Happiness is........



Old Thomas in his blog of a few days ago, debated the concept of personal happiness. I commented then that I believe that happiness is a short lived emotion and the best that any of us could really hope for was a state of contentedness with "one's lot"....but happiness does occur in the smallest of moments ...so I thought I would "document" mine today .
I have spent much of my post night shift jet lag day cleaning and sat down in the silence of the cottage at 2pm to drink a well earned cup of coffee. Within a minute or so ,the dogs, all tired after their walk, snuck up to me on the sofa in drips and drabs..... I find that there is something quite satisfying about their constant need to be close.......
(for those that might of missed him George is curled up on the arm chair)

28 comments:

  1. Oh, sweet! I've been busy moving, but hope to spend more time here now.
    I don't which dog it was, but the curly-haired fellow who was standing stock-still reminded me of a stuffed toy!
    Thanks for posting this; I definitely need a life with what's going on at MY house!

    Kat

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  2. Forgive me - either my eyesight or my mental capacity is going! Amend to add the word "know" and change "life" to "LIFT".

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  3. I have been so busy and no computer, I'm missing out on reading my favorite blogs.. I'm at the library using their computer.
    I love your dogs and listening to Constance snoring reminds me of my brother in law.. Snore King~!~!
    Dogs are not like cats.. Cats own you and dogs are just so happy to have you and be with you..They are happy companions,,always happy to see you and eager to be near you..
    Have a Tiggeriffic Day~!~! ta ta for now from Iowa:)

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  4. How very comforting to have all of them around you enjoying the early morning. Constance snoring but a smile on my face. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. Oh that snoring! At least Paddy doesn't snore, just chases cats in his sleep.

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  6. I'm with you on this one John, my dogs (and indeed other people's) definately make me happy.

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  7. I must be in the twilight zone as this morning I started drafting a blog post (in my head) about happiness.
    I have to very respectfully disagree. I think euphoria is a short lived emotion, but that happiness or unhappiness is your foundation or underlying emotion.
    After reading all your archives, and remembering with fondness, how many times you wrote you were happy and at times surprisingly happy, I think that at your core, or underlying, you are happy.
    Oh sure, we all have to deal with the BS and the downs and for some, sometimes life can knock one so hard the underlying, core, emotion changes to unhappiness-unfortunately. But even when going through yuk, at one's core, one can still be "happy."

    (Just like people who have unhappiness at their core, when having something nice happen, they still find something to bitch about it).

    That emotional high point of the roller coaster however, is fleeting.

    Just my thoughts.

    (Happy as Harry or Happy as Larry?)

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  8. Our dogs are just the best in our world some days. I love when mine get all snuggled up next to me on the sofa or in bed. I'm such an odd person, I'm happy almost every day.

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  9. I always smile when I think of Jack Nicholson looking around at the clients waiting for therapy, when he says
    "what if this is as good as it gets?"

    I think happiness is a core thing and for me quite basic- it doesn't cost ££s and it isn't fuelled by things, simply generated by seeing the small pleasures rather than the bigger picture.

    I'm sure you bring happiness to others with your compassion- and your cynical wit in this blog!!
    x

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  10. Anonymous4:37 pm

    Look at all those babies...so happy so content to be with daddy....you just have to smile when you see them.

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  11. Another award-winning video John. I also notice that you have - as well as the police helicopter permanently hovering over your house - a Cicada or Cricket that has moved in during the warmer weather. How perfect!

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  12. John was that you snoring or the dog what a lovely afternoon on the couch

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  13. Contentment personified!

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  14. A wonderful moment of sheer happiness! Loved it!

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  15. tom
    no just an cheep argos digital camera!!!!!!!

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  16. I guess the idea of happiness being what you make it works here. I was happy yesterday, vacuuming, of all things. But yes, happiness when you have four footed friends about is always a plus! (And I must say, that chicken on top of your blog reminds me of Jimmy Durante!)

    Cat

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  17. Loved the post John. Thank you. :)

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  18. Magic moments indeed, and there is nothing like a snoring dog to promote a sense of wellbeing to all within hearing distance. This is a simple shaft of happiness, but a blessed one.

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  19. Anonymous9:32 pm

    There's nothing quite like the tender ordinary for a line of happiness is there? (What a snore on that Constance!)

    As per your question about the inscription, as near as I could make out it was this:

    Kristin Kelie Thee
    4-2-93
    11-22-93

    She was a baby and the original photo was of her grave. (you know me...:-)

    Dxxx

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  20. Between the snoring and the tongue, I'm not sure which made me smile the most!

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  21. That is some IMPRESSIVE snoring!!! hahahaha! What happy dogs.

    John, off topic, but you mentioned methelated spirits for scaly leg mites. Do they go on the chicken legs, on the perches, or both?

    Hope you and the crew have a happy weekend!

    Natalie

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  22. My lady says Ting-a-Ling and Constance could have a snore-off but I told her Constance would win because her snore is deeper!

    All that contentment made me want to take a nap! xoxoxoxoxoxo

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  23. I know exactly what you mean, John. I LOVE it when Sophie plunks herself on or near me as close as possible....like right now!

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  24. Oh my, when I first heard the noise without realising where it came from I thought my Dad had come back from the grave - certainly makes the loudest purr in our house pale in significance lol
    Take care
    Cathy

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  25. Unconditional love is what they give John - and it makes life complete. I don't know how people manage without a dog.

    I agree about happiness - it comes in transitory moments - contentedness lasts for ever if you are lucky - sounds as though you are - and me too.

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  26. I missed this post earlier! As I watched the video, Bumble was under my desk snoring along with Constance. I love it!

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